Skirt-protector



(No Model.)

W. F. SMITH & A. B. OATTERALL.

SKIRT PROTEGTOR.

Patented Apr. 9, 1889.

N. PEYEnx Phow-Lilhngnphar. washihgmn. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

IVILLIAM F. SMITH AND ALBERT B. CATTERALL, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

SKlRT-PRQTECTO R.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 401,078, dated April 9, 1889.

Application filed January 15, 1889.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, NVILLIAM F. SMITH and ALBERT B. OATTERALL, citizens of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Im-' provements in Skirt-Protectors, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention has relation to skirt-protectors for ladies, and among the main objects in View are to provide a protector designed to be fastened to the waist of the wearer or to the bustle, and which is designed to take the place of the usual skirt-reeds and other dress shaping and supporting devices the entire structure, while being pliable and light, also being capable of production at a minimum cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the claim.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is an inside elevation of a protector constructed in accordance with our invention, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail in vertical section on the line :20 a: of Fig. 1., and Fig. 4 is a detail in front and side elevation of the preferred form of fastener for securing the edge of the skirt to the protector.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

1 represents the waistband, one end of which is provided with a buckle, 2.

Depending from the waistband and secured thereto-An this instance by eyelets 3are a series of tapes, 4, which, near their upper ends, are curved, as at 5, or provided with a fullness, which is maintained by means of a transverse connecting tape or other band, 6,

and a diagonal similar band, 7, the bands being riveted to the tapes 4 at their intersections.

8 represents the protector-frame, and the same is of rectangular shape and curved to conform to the dress; and it consists of opposite transverse steel or other metallic ribs, 9, and an intermediate similar rib, 10, and end Serial No. 296,440. (No model.)

vertical ribs, 11. Over the frame thus described is mounted a suitable covering'of cambric or other material, 12, the edges of which are sewed or otherwise secured to the opposite transverse ribs, 9.

Riveted or otherwise secured to the upper edge of the cambric or other covering, 12, are a series of upwardly-projecting short tapes, 13, provided at their free ends with buckles 14, the tapes agreeing in number with the series of tapes 4, which in this instance are four, they being considered sufficient, though they may ice increased or diminished as desired. By means of the buckles 14 the protector may be lengthened or shortened to adapt the same for persons of varying height. The inner surface of the protector-frame, from the lower transverse rod, 9, to the central rod, 10, is covered with a water-proof material, preferably rubber, 15, the edges of which are secured to the above-mentioned rods.

Applied to the lower edge of the frame 8, and upon its outer surface, are a series of dressreceiving and securing clamps, 16 (See Fig. 4.)

The manner of using the protector is as follows: The same is employed under the dress or other skirts, the lower edge of the protector agreeing with that of the dress. The clasps 16 being opened, the edge of the dress is inserted and the clasps closed thereupon. Bythis means the inner surface and the lower edge of the skirt are prevented from becoming spattered with mud, and are supported at a suitable distance above the heels of the wearer. Any well-known clasp, 16, maybe employed; but we prefer the form herein shown, in which 17 represents the securing-plate, provided with rivet-holes 19, and upon the plate is mounted a pivotal spring actuatcd tongue, 20.

If desired, the diagonal braces 6 may be made of some resilient material, whereby a bustle may be dispensed with. It will also be apparent that the waistband 1 may be omitted and short straps project from the tapes 4, by which the tapes may be secured directly to the bustle.

Having described our invention, what we claim is- The combination, with {L series of dependfor connection with the depending tapes, sub- IO ing tapes, of a-proteeton'i'raime formed of steel stantiztlly as specified. ribs and bent to conform to the shape of the In testimony whereof we afiixour signatures dress and having an outer covering of ezunin presence of two witnesses.

5 brie and an inner fneing of rubber, the lower \VILLIAM F. SMITH.

end of the frame being provided with a series ALBERT B. lATTERALL. of dress receiving and securing olzunps, and \Vitnesses: the upper end of the proteetorbeing' provided FRANK HOPKINS,

with a series of short tapes having buckles Jos. BONDY. 

